Pure Magic

Presto Change-O will bring magic into your night—and day.

By Elizabeth Consolati

The musical, a world premiere from Barrington Stage Company’s Musical Theatre Lab and directed by Marc Bruni, is filled with a whole lot of music, humor, and suspense. Set in present-day Manhattan, the story is about three generations of magicians who find themselves living together after years apart. Through tricks and turns, they search for a way to face their past and repair their unique family.

This uplifting performance brings a bright and brilliant touch to the stage with its cast of only six that includes Tony Award winner Michael Rupert and Tony Award nominee Jarrod Spector, along with Jenni Barber, Barbara Walsh, Lenny Wolpe, and Bob Walton. With their outstanding voices, colorful costumes, and impeccable live music, Presto Change-O’s cast and crew makes one truly feel the magic of musical theatre.

A myriad of skills is highlighted throughout the performance. Tricks and illusions keep audience members smiling and feeling the thrill and enthusiasm of the stage. And this musical is made even more stunning with the audience’s inability to predict when a song is about to strike out. Presto Change-O’s sneaky array of jokes, magic, and suspense never lets the audience’s attention stray. When a magician successfully does a trick, mouths drop and, intrigued, people say, “How did you do that?” The answer is, in the words of Michael Presto, “Dogs do tricks. That was real.”

Barrington Stage Company’s first show of its 2016 summer season, Presto Change-O runs through June 11, including weekend matinees, at the St. Germain Stage at Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center in Pittsfield.